Has anyone read this book yet? seems fascinating. I have a copy of his other book, The Bicycle: A History, but haven't gotten a chance to read it yet either.
As part of BikeFest 2010, we are excited to announce that David Herlihy, author of The Lost Cyclist, a book the New York Times says is “a view from the helmet cam in the days before helmet cams.” Cyclists and historians alike will enjoy this incredible turn-of-the-century story about a Pittsburgher named Frank Lenz, a renowned high-wheel racer and long-distance tourist who dreamed of cycling around the world. He finally got his chance by recasting himself as a champion of the downsized “safety-bicycle” with inflatable tires, the forerunner of the modern road bike that was about to become wildly popular. In the spring of 1892 he quit his accounting job and took off on his bike as a correspondent for Outing magazine.
Two years into his journey, Lenz disappeared in Turkey during the start of a chain of atrocities that eventually led to the Armenian genocide. His disappearance initiated a massive hunt for him, which even affected diplomatic relations. Lenz managed to capture the imagination of the whole country during this interesting time in history when the bicycle was the most advanced form of independent, personal transportation.
Author David Herlihy, who wrote Bicycle: The History, explores what it was like to be an adventurer and traveler in the times before the automobile on the newfangled mechanical device called the bicycle.
Herlihy will be in the South Side on Saturday, August 14 for two events.
David Herlihy, author of The Lost Cyclist, South Side events
Saturday, August 14
5:00pm: Speaking and book signing at Joseph Beth Booksellers, 510 South 27th St, SouthSide Works
6:30pm: Afterparty at the OTB Bicycle Cafe, 2518 East Carson St. There will be drink and food specials and prize give-aways including books, OTB gift certificates, East End Brewing Company Big Hop cycling jerseys and more!
Hey I justed finished reading it. It was very well researched, it should be a great talk. Lenz was also a photographer so there are lots of neat pictures, Pittsburgh features very prominantly in it. Its amazing how little stuff he carried which included a camera and revolver... I think it said his Mom is buried in St. Mary's cemetary,
This is on the cover of this week's City Paper.
Rode the south side trail and stopped at the bookstore with my copy of The Lost Cyclist. It was interesting to hear the author(David Herlihy) talk about his book and get my copy signed.
If you are interested in history, history of bicycles, and adventure, not to mention Pittsburgh, you will enjoy this book.
He's coming to visit right near my new house on Thursday! Exciting.
